Well here it is, the result of a massive decision that we made about a month ago.
Or should I say here HE is.... (sorry about the video angle)...
We had already decided no more dogs, we've done our bit for charity/rescues as far as fostering dogs goes. We naturally ended up with some failed foster dogs as well as a couple of difficult cases. Dogs who had bitten and were deemed close to being put down. Needless to say both of those dogs have been turned around, our little place tucked up out of the way seems to be just as relaxing and repairing for the creatures who live here as it is to us.
We already had seven pet dogs and one working dog, the current 'one' is Leia a working line German Shepherd who is my companion outside but who also takes a place on the chair by the fire in the evening. She has already saved the lives of several chickens and ducks sometimes from the jaws of a fox as it was making its way off with one of our birds. Her presence out and about is off putting to the fox but if you watch her carefully she'll tell you when she can smell one nearby and her deep growl and desire to chase only the foxes and yet leave all the livestock and birds alone is outstanding. Leia was originally with the pack, but she never settled, constantly on watch at the windows when I went outside. No matter what walks she had or how much running she did, it was never enough to make her settle. Then one day she had a fight with one of our other dogs (Ripley) we dont know what set them off but I suspect it was Riley's bad legs that were causing her so much pain. She was an abused dog from Cyprus and came to us with many health issues as a result. After splitting them up Leia was in the bathroom, and we decided it was safer to get her out the bathroom window than take her past Ripley again. She was left on the driveway and we wet to put the kettle on. Looking outside to check on her she was curled up fast asleep. I was amazed suddenly the dog who used to look a bit stressed/wired sometimes inside was relaxed. It was like a button was pushed. This is why we end she has 'stayed out' with us, she is free to roam and sleeps with me sometimes although we do have a kennel for her which again, she seems completely adapted to without any sort of training or trial period.
So we were contacted about a general 'did we know of anyone who needed/wanted a working sheep dog' kinda question. We didn't but then a seed was planted in our minds. Should we have him?
We spent more time trying to figure out why it would be a bad idea rather than a good one. Eventually it came down to Leia. The 2 working dogs would have to live together so it was her decision as much as it was mine on whether he could live here and I could commit to the training of him.
I was more nervous of a working dog, dogs I'm ok with but a working sheep dog?? I've always thought them as a bit different so after Jet came home with me one evening we started the long process of bonding with him first. I've let him see the sheep and I've let him off the lead to see how he behaves. The void in my knowledge about working sheep dogs has shown itself. I have no idea what to look for so I have signed up to Emma Grey Shepherdess Sheep Dog School. We watch the videos together and slowly I'm learning and Jet is learning to listen to me.
"But your sheep are bucket trained?' I hear you ask. Yes they are but what Jet did for his previous owner was described as this "Jet gives the sheep the push they need to be contained".
Whilst our sheep will follow me from one field to another following a bucket of food getting them contained in the barn for dosing, shearing or general health check is something different. If one turns round and decides to bolt many will follow the first animal. It's in their DNA to run if they are not sure.
So Jet is here to give us the 'Push'. He will also help move the goats, maybe my dads cattle we shall see, baby steps and always with his and our safety in mind.
As it happens the day we did the video we needed Jet and he did his thing.... I've a few walls to finish, and some sheep had managed to get into another field, but this time the temptation of the bucket was not enough to push them back over the small wall. They had already gone over in one direction and there was nothing stopping them go in the other except they just didn't. So I went with Jet. Sent him down, few words of commands was enough to send them over the wall again where they they followed Steve back to the field they should have been in. Jet was called back over to me and he came. Job done!
So why is this such a big decision? For me it marks a commitment to smallholding, and more than just having a few animals, going beyond 'pets' or our small dairy herd. It's lamb for the freezer (yes I eat meat) and I've never felt more connected to the real world taking responsibility for what you put on your plate not just what you order from Tescos. Raising them, keeping them safe and making sensible decisions for who stays and who goes is so fundamental. The sheep mean I can also branch into making rugs, pet beds etc with all the fleeces we have which I love doing.
So I hope you continue to join me along this path in life. The blog will continue to be updated and I'll be on social media more now (I've enjoyed my break). There is also another big announcement coming, so stay in touch.
Emma
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